HONG KONG- The flag carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) is one of Asia’s oldest operational airlines. With its 80th anniversary due next year, CX hopes to celebrate 2025 by restoring its travel volumes to pre-COVID days by the end of the financial period.
In addition to addition some new new destinations as well as a fresh business class on its flagship Boeing 777-300ERs, Cathay is also expecting to significantly better the strength of its fleet in the near future.
At the moment, it remains a very revered carrier in southeast Asia nonetheless, serving over 75 cities worldwide with a cavalry of 180 aircraft. From flying across the world in its Boeing 747s from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport to becoming one of the planet’s most premium carriers, the last few years have been particularly transformational for Cathay Pacific. At the head of the airline’s growth has been its CEO Ronald Lam, who has spent almost three decades with the operator.
Ronald Lam is among the industry’s leading names and has been greatly responsible for securing Cathay’s status around the world. With that said, here is how much the airline pays him.
Photo: Cathay PacificRonald Lam Background
Ronald Lam is a 1994 graduate from the University of Cambridge with a master’s degree in computer science.
He has been working mainly in the travel and tourism industries for the past 30 years having previously been the chief customer and commercial officer, director of commercial and cargo operations as well as the director of the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company. Lam even completed a short sting as CEO of Cathay’s low-cost arm, Hong Kong Express.
His history and good work with various brands of the Swire Group, Cathay Pacific’s parent company and majority stakeholder saw Lam earn the role of the airline’s CEO in January 2023.
He took over the reigns of the career after a troubled few years during the coronavirus pandemic and has been a vital influence in leading them back to where they belonged earlier on. 2025 is a crucial year in his career with Cathay having the opportunity to conquer unprecedented heights in the years that follow.
Photo: CNBCTV 18Cathay Pacific CEO Ronald Lam Salary
The 2023-24 was a crucial year in Cathay Pacific’s recovery from the coronavirus travel restrictions, which faced its fair share of turbulence in lieu of China’s strict and extended lockdowns and immigration policies in response to the outbreak. However, Ronald Lam’s overall compensation increased significantly in comparison to his previous, maiden year as the carrier’s CEO.
Lam received a total pay packet amounting to HK$10.45 million (approx. US$1.3 million), according to information published by the airline’s books of accounts. The compensation marked a 32% increase in his financial windfall in comparison to the previous year although many expect to see further growth in the next couple of years with Cathay’s performance projections in mind.
In spite of earning a respectable amount by Hong Kong standards, Lam’s salary falls short significantly short of Goh Choon Phong, the CEO of Singapore Airlines (SQ), arguably Cathay Pacific’s biggest competitor in the Asia Pacific region.
Phong earned a payout estimated to be close to US$6 million in the same financial period. For context and as far as records go, the highest compensation in the world was paid out to Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian, who took home more than US$34 million for the American operator’s exceptional performance.
Meanwhile, Lam’s compensation is fairly as per standard in comparison to Cathay Pacific’s main full service competitor in its close quarters, EVA Air, whose president was paid roughly US$1.1 million. The Cathay CEO’s numbers next year, however, as mentioned earlier, could be far more envious than some of his colleagues.
Besides Lam’s salary, the rest of his C-suite colleagues also took with them some handsome money. Cathay’s CFO Rebecca Sharpe earned HK$9.7 million (approx. US$1.2 million) whereas chairman Patrick Healy was paid HK$8.6 million (approx. US$1.1 million). The breakdown of each of their salaries, including basic proceeds, bonuses and any share holdings are yet to be known.
Photo: Clément Wld | FlickrWhat next for Cathay Pacific and Ronald Lam?
The future looks promising for Cathay Pacific Airways and Ronald Lam, whose recent performances point towards a long-term association.
Cathay Pacific, including its cargo operations, plans on operating to 100 destinations by the end of the year.
It has already started taking steps in the right direction. The airline’s services to Hyderabad in India will resume after a lengthy hiatus owing to COVID-19, while flights to Brussels, Dallas, Munich and Rome will also lift off in the summer.
Besides expanding its footprint to several other destinations around the world, Cathay Pacific’s most exciting product in recent years, the Aria Suite has already commenced operations on its Boeing 777-300ERs.
Currently, three out of a planned 30 aircraft have already been retrofitted with the new business class cabin with flights operating to Singapore and London-Heathrow.
The airline plans on refurbishing one airplane every month at its workshop in Xiamen, therefore, if all works as per its anticipations, more than one dozen Aria Suites-equipped 777s should be ready by the end of 2025.
This will exponentially upgrade the airline’s premium offering and perhaps put it a level or two above the rest of its Asian competitors.
Lastly, Cathay is also pondering over placing an order for the Airbus A330neo or the Boeing 787s very soon to replace its ageing Airbus A330s, which is a clear indicator of the carrier’s ambitious plans.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Cathay Pacific Airways Pilot Salary in 2025
The post Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Salary in 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
